Daniel (Dan) Dean Cox (born March 3, 1949; died September 21, 2018) won a full scholarship to Yale where he received his BS in chemistry, then continued at MIT where he received his PhD in organic chemistry. While at MIT, Dan met his future wife, Jennifer Lilburn, a fellow chemistry PhD student who shared his love of hiking and lively discussion.

Dan and Jennifer moved to California, where Dan began his career as a chemist, and later became an industrial hygienist. Dan eventually moved into consulting, where he spent 35 years in the field of environmental health. He valued work that helped solve problems and improve people’s lives.

Dan maintained warm friendships throughout his life, from a very young age. Wherever he went, he made and kept new friends, including many from his time at Yale. This was one of his chief joys. People were drawn to his humor, intelligence, generosity, and most of all, his kindness. His main avocation, especially after he retired, was helping people, whether they were strangers he had just met or lifelong friends. In his last hours, he shared with his family a philosophy for living well: peace, love, and celebration.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jennifer, and his three children, Nathan (SY ’05), Jon, and Caitlin.

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